The NCEC recently spoke with Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Operations Manager Dan McErlean about the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Kindergartens and OSHC service in Pittsworth, where children enjoy rich, engaging learning beyond the service gates.
At the heart of the program is a genuine commitment to listening to children and nurturing their sense of belonging. Through carefully planned excursions and local visits, children are supported to build confidence, curiosity and meaningful connections within their community.
“Our planning starts with the children,” said Dan.
“Through group discussions and a dedicated book where children’s suggestions are documented, they are actively involved in shaping our program.”
Families are warmly invited to contribute ideas and share local knowledge, strengthening the partnership between educators, parents and carers, and helping to create a program that truly reflects the community it serves.
From the outset, educators take great care to ensure every excursion is purposeful, safe and developmentally appropriate. Locations are thoughtfully selected, with staff visiting sites in advance, confirming requirements and completing detailed risk assessments. Safe walking routes, crossings and meeting points are also mapped out to support children’s confidence and wellbeing.
This careful preparation allows children to explore their local environment safely, while engaging in meaningful, real-world learning experiences.
Building strong community connections
In a close-knit rural town like Pittsworth, these experiences play an important role in helping children feel connected and valued. Regular interactions with local businesses, organisations and familiar places help foster confidence, respect and a strong sense of community.
“Community-based excursions are central to what we do. They help children build confidence and feel connected to their local area.”
Over time, these connections help children see their town as an extension of their own community, where values such as kindness, inclusion and pride are lived each day.
Child-led experiences in action
Many excursions begin with children’s own ideas, which educators thoughtfully bring to life. One standout experience was a café crawl across Pittsworth, where children practised ordering food, using good manners and engaging in conversation, all while learning about local businesses.
The initiative was warmly received by the wider community and even featured in the local paper The Sentinel, with locals praising the children’s respectful and confident behaviour.
Visits to Penny McKinlay’s Nursery have also been a highlight, offering hands-on opportunities to explore gardening, sustainability and the natural world. Regular outings to local parks encourage physical activity, imaginative play and teamwork.
Children have also enjoyed visits to a local gym, a Chinese restaurant to explore hospitality and cultural diversity, and a range of community organisations including the library, emergency services, nursing home and bowls club.
Lasting benefits for children
These rich experiences support children’s development in meaningful ways, helping to build confidence, independence, social skills and overall wellbeing, while deepening their understanding of the world around them.
“Children who regularly take part in these experiences develop greater confidence and independence, along with a strong sense of belonging.”
Families have responded warmly, often highlighting the unique and enriching nature of the program and its strong focus on high-quality care and authentic community engagement.
Through its thoughtful, child-centred approach, the Pittsworth OSHC service continues to show how powerful learning can be when it is grounded in connection, care and community, bringing education to life well beyond the classroom.